for the eastern district of pennsylvania catherine

1 Marcucci has also requested attorneys’ fees. I will determine the appropriateness and amount ofattorneys’ fees at a later proceeding.

1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTFOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

CATHERINE MARCUCCI, et al. : CIVIL ACTION:

v. : No.08-5560:

H & L DEVELOPERS, INC., et al. :

MEMORANDUM

Juan R. Sánchez, J. December 31, 2009

Plaintiff Catherine Marcucci asks the Court to order repayment of a $1.2 million loan, plus

interest, from Defendants Ronald and Patricia Laessig, as guarantors of the loan. Marcucci’s claim

for a monetary award is supported by three promissory notes and the Laessigs’ written guaranty to

repay the promissory notes if the original lender, H & L Developers, Inc., defaulted. The Laessigs

argue Marcucci’s claim fails because the statute of limitations has expired and the promissory notes

and guaranty are not supported by consideration. Because the Court concludes this action is within

the applicable statute of limitations and the guaranty agreement is binding upon Ronald and Patricia

Laessig, judgment will be entered in favor of Marcucci.1

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Ronald and Patricia Laessig met Catherine Marcucci and her late husband Dr. Paul J.

Marcucci in the1980s. The two families became friends and the Laessigs were frequently

invited to family functions and social gatherings with the Marcuccis.

2. In 1986, Ronald Laessig (Laessig) presented a real estate investment opportunity with his

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company, H & L Developers, Inc. (H & L), to the Marcuccis.

3. H & L was a Florida real estate development corporation created to build single-family

homes in Florida. Laessig held 50 percent of H & L’s shares as one of the company’s two

shareholders.

4. In 1990, Paul Marcucci passed away. Following his death, Catherine Marcucci worried

about her future financial stability. Laessig told Catherine Marcucci he could help her.

5. Laessig told Marcucci to sell real estate properties she owned and to lend the funds from the

sale of the real estate to him for investment purposes. Laessig promised Marcucci if she lent

him $1.2 million, he would invest the money for her and pay her back with interest.

6. Marcucci agreed to lend Laessig the money, believing the interest payments would sustain

her financially for the rest of her life. She lent $1,200,000 to Laessig on the condition he

invest it for her and remit regular payments on the loan. Marcucci expected interest

payments monthly.

7. Laessig invested Marcucci’s money in an H & L real estate venture in Florida. By January

6, 1989, Marcucci had lent Laessig $772,090.39. Laessig directed his attorney to prepare a

promissory note in this amount. On January 6, 1989, Laessig sent Marcucci a promissory

note which stated Ronald and Patricia Laessig had borrowed $772,090.39 and that they were

legally obligated to repay the principal, plus interest, to Catherine Marcucci by June 30,

1990. Both Ronald and Patricia Laessig signed this note. No interest or principal was ever

paid on this note. The principal amount of this loan was rolled over into Marcucci’s total

loan of $1,200,000.

8. By June 1990, Marcucci had lent Laessig a total of $1,200,000. After receiving this loan,

2 Laessig offered equivocating testimony about the origination of this guaranty. After Laessigwas directed to look at the guaranty, the following exchange occurred:

Plaintiff’s Counsel (PC): Are you familiar with this document?Ronald Laessig (RL): Yes I am.PC: And who prepared this document?RL: That would be the same attorney at Fox Rothschild.PC: You don’t recall the attorney’s name?RL: No I don’t.PC: And whose idea was it to have this document prepared?RL: I really don’t recall.PC: Did you go to the attorney and say I’d like to give a personal guaranty for the1.2 million dollars?RL: That could have happened, yes.PC: The attorney would not have originated the idea on himself or herself, wouldthey?RL: No.PC: And the purpose was to protect Mrs. Marcucci, correct?RL: That’s correct.

Laessig Trial Testimony, Aug. 28, 2009.

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Laessig directed his attorney to create three additional promissory notes to memorialize the

$1,200,000 loan. Laessig instructed his attorney as to the amount of the loan Laessig

received, to whom the loan was payable, the interest rate, the due date, and the events which

would constitute default on the loan. He also directed his attorney to prepare a personal

guaranty for this loan and chose the terms of the guaranty, including the events of default.2

9. On June 30, 1990, the Laessigs both signed a “Guaranty (Suretyship) Agreement” (Laessig

Guaranty), which they sent to Catherine Marcucci.

10. The Laessig Guaranty states the agreement is between Ronald and Patricia Laessig, as

guarantors, and P. John Marcucci, Jr., Paula Schwartz and Richard Marcucci, “Trustees

Under Deed of Trust of P. John Marcucci dated September 22, 1988.”

11. P. John Marcucci, Jr., Paula Schwartz, and Richard Marcucci are Catherine Marcucci’s three

4

children. Neither Catherine nor any of her three children are aware of any “Deed of Trust”

created in their names. Laessig testified he instructed his attorney to make out the note to

this “Deed of Trust” as part of some estate planning, but Laessig said the deed of trust was

prepared by someone else. Laessig testified the deed of trust was prepared for Catherine

Marcucci; she is the intended beneficiary and he believes her children serve as trustees.

12. The Guaranty states the lender agreed to make a $1.2 million loan to H & L “pursuant to the

terms of, and evidenced by, that certain Promissory Note (the Note).” Laessig Guaranty §

A. The Guaranty stated that, as a fifty percent shareholder, Ronald Laessig had a significant

interest in H & L and would benefit economically from Marcucci’s loan to H & L. The

Guaranty further states the lender agreed to make the loan to H & L in consideration of the

covenants assumed by the guarantor and expressly acknowledges that “Lender would not

have extended the Loan without the execution and delivery by Guarantor of th[e] Guaranty

Agreement.”

13. In greater detail, the Laessig Guaranty provides:

2.1 Guaranty. The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees toLender, and becomes surety to Lender for, the prompt payment when due,whether by acceleration or otherwise, of all of the Obligation. The obligationsof Guarantor hereunder are in addition to any obligations Guarantor may haveto Lender under any other agreement or agreements. Guarantor’s obligationwith respect to any representation, warranty or other covenant hereunder shallalso be in addition [to] Guarantor’s guaranty obligation set forth above.

2.2 Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is and shall be construed to be anabsolute, unlimited, and continuing guaranty of payment and suretyship, andshall be deemed the primary obligation of the Guarantor. All of the obligationsand the commitments of Lender to Obligors shall be conclusively presumed tohave been created in reliance hereon.

2.3 Invalidity, Irregularity, Unenforceability, Etc. No Defense. No invalidity,

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irregularity or unenforceability of, lack of prior enforcement of, delay inenforcement of, or failure to preserve or enforce, the Obligation or of anysecurity for the payment of the Obligation or of rights against any otherguarantor thereof (although Lender’s rights have been lost) shall affect, impairor be a defense to this Guaranty.

2.4 Waivers. The Guaranty waives notice of acceptance of this Guaranty,presentment, demand for payment, protest, notice of dishonor, notice ofnonpayment of any of Obligor’s Obligations.. . .

3.1 Events of Default. The following shall be deemed “Events of Default”hereunder: (a) The occurrence of any event of default with respect to any oneor more of the Loan Documents. (b) Failure of Guarantor or any otherguarantor to pay any amount when due hereunder to Lender or failure byGuarantor to observe or perform any other covenant, condition or provisioncontained in this Guaranty.

3.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default: (a) Lender, withnot less than ten (10) days notice to Guarantor, may make the Obligation,whether or not then due, immediately due and payable under this Guaranty asto the Guarantor, and Lender shall be entitled to enforce the Obligation againstthe Guarantor. (b) Lender may exercise any of its rights and remedies providedby the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any other jurisdiction.

3.3 Application of Funds. Any amounts recovered by Lender hereunder maybe applied by Lender to any amount or amounts owing hereunder, in such orderas Lender may determine.

Laessig Guaranty, at 2-4.

14. The Guaranty provides, if the Guarantor fails to perform the covenants contained in the

Guaranty, the Lender has the remedy to demand payment and enforce the obligation against

the Guarantor, and “no delay by Lender in exercising. . . any of its rights shall constitute a

waiver of [those rights].” Laessig Guaranty, at 4.

15. The Guaranty further states, “Legal Effect. This Guaranty shall be binding upon the

Guarantor, their heirs and assigns; provided however the Guarantor shall not assign its rights

6

or delegate its duties under this Guaranty, by operation of law or otherwise, and any such

attempted assignment or delegation shall be void.” Laessig Guaranty § 3(a).

16. Ronald and Patricia Laessig both signed this document and the word “(SEAL)” appears next

to each of their signatures.

17. The second promissorynote ($600,000 Note) was issued from H & L Developers (Borrower)

on January 1, 1991, and made payable to “the order of P. John Marcucci, Jr., Paula Schwartz,

Richard Marcucci, Trustees under Deed of Trust dated September 23, 1988.” $600,000

Note, at 1. Note Two states: “FOR VALUE RECEIVED,” H & L promised to repay

$600,000, plus 11 percent yearly interest.

18. The third promissory note ($200,000 Note) states “FOR VALUE RECEIVED,” H & L

promises to repay $200,000 to payee Richard Marcucci, with 9 percent yearly interest.

$200,000 Note, at 1. Laessig testified that it was Catherine Marcucci, and not her son

Richard, who lent H & L the $200,000 referenced in this Note. He said Richard Marcucci

is listed as the payee for estate planning purposes, though the debt was owed to Catherine

Marcucci.

19. The fourth promissory note ($400,000 Note) also states “FOR VALUE RECEIVED,” H &

L would repay $400,000 to payee Catherine Marcucci, plus 11 percent yearly interest. The

$400,000 Note reads : “FOR VALUE RECEIVED, H & L Developers, Inc. (Borrower)

promises to pay to the order of Catherine Marcucci (the “Payee”) . . . the principal amount

of $400,000 . . . with the entire unpaid principal balance hereof being due on December 31,

1995.” $400,000 Note, at 1.

20. All three notes contain the following provision:

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The principal amount of this Note may be redeemed at any time in whole or inpart; provided that any such redemption shall be in integral multiples of $1,000and provided further that any such redemption shall be accompanied bypayment of any accrued interest with respect thereto. The Borrower shallmaintain a record of any such redemption and all other payments of principalin accordance with the provisions of this Note, setting forth the date andamount thereof, and such record shall be conclusive proof of the principalamount due hereunder in the absence of manifest error.

Notes, at 1.

21. All three Notes define events of default and provide, in the event of default, the Notes:

shall become immediately due and payable in full, without presentment,demand, protest or notice, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower. Inthe case of any Event of Default, the Borrower will reimburse the holder of thisNote for its reasonable costs and expenses, including attorney’s fees, incurredin connection with the enforcement of its rights under the Note.

Notes, § 1(b).

22. All three Notes contain a provision entitled “Parties in Interest,” which provides:

All covenants, agreements and undertakings in this Note by and on behalf ofany of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respectivesuccessors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not.

Notes § 2.1.

23. The three Notes also includes waivers which read:

The Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, protest and noticeof protest for nonpayment of this Note, and consents to any extension orpostponement of time of payment or (sic) any other indulgence.

Notes § 2.3.

24. Beginning in 1990, Marcucci received regular interest payments on her loan to H & L. First

H & L and then Ronald Laessig sent Marcucci regular checks for interest on the loan.

Neither party’s records reflect when Marcucci stopped receiving checks from H & L and

3 Marcucci was unable to provide any other checks because her bank did not retain copies of herchecks prior to July 2005.

8

began receiving checks from Laessig instead.

25. As evidence she received interest payments on the Notes and Guaranty, Marcucci submitted

copies of checks she received from Laessig from July 1, 2005, to May 31, 2007.3 During this

period of time, Laessig sent 48 checks to Marcucci. All of these checks were drawn from

a personal bank account which Laessig shared with his daughter, Patricia A. Ferry. On a few

occasions, when the checks were late, Marcucci called Laessig to tell him she hadn’t received

her check. After she complained on these occasions, Laessig apologized the money was late

and sent a check. In conversation, Marcucci and Laessig referred to the checks he sent her

as her interest payments. Laessig disputes the checks he sent to Marcucci were intended as

interest payments. He testified these payments were intended as gifts to Marcucci because

he cared for her and wanted her to be financially secure, not because of any obligation on his

part.

26. The checks Laessig sent Marcucci were written for the amount of either $2,000 or $4,000.

Most months Laessig wrote one check for $2,000 and one for $4,000; he often wrote both

checks on the same day. From July to December of 2005, Laessig paid Marcucci $40,000.

He paid her $68,000 in 2006 and $38,000 from January to May of 2007. The subject line is

blank on the majority of the checks, however, on 20 checks, the name of a month is listed in

the subject line. For example, on Check #273, issued on September 27, 2005, for $2,000,

the subject line reads, “Oct 05,” and on Check #372, issued on May 1, 2007, for $4,000, the

4 The remaining checks containing a month listed in the subject line are check numbers 274, 275,276, 277, 278, 283, 284, 287, 288, 298, 299, 300, 301, 303, 304, 305, 306, 371.

5 Laessig’s trial testimony illustrates his evasiveness about the nature of the payments hispayments to Marcucci:

PC: Can you tell us, what were the circumstances surrounding the issuance ofthese checks?RL: I wanted to keep Catherine going with her needs for income.PC: And why did you feel an obligation to do that?RL: Because she’s a wonderful person.PC: Now, were these checks gifts to her?RL: No.PC: Were they payment for employment?RL: No.PC: Were they interest payments?RL: No.PC: What are these payments then if they’re not interest, they’re not gifts, andthey’re not employment?

9

subject line reads, “May.”4 On April 5, 2007, Laessig issued a check for $2,000 with the

subject line “To replace Ch. #306.”

27. The consistent amount of these payments, approximately $6,000 per month, support

Marcucci’s testimony Laessig was paying interest on the debt he owed her and not gifting

money out of his generosity. Additionally, the subject lines of 20 of the checks list the name

of months; these notations suggest Laessig had a monthly obligation to make payments to

Marcucci and he sporadically tracked his monthly payments in the subject line of his checks.

Laessig’s April 5, 2007 check lends further support to the existence of his obligation to pay

Marcucci, as the subject line of this check, “To replace Ch.# 306,” demonstrates a duty to

reimburse unredeemed debt payments.

28. I find Laessig’s testimony that his payments were intended as gifts is not credible.5 Laessig’s

RL: Well, define the word “gifts,” what do you mean by “gifts?” I’m giving herincome. I’m giving her income.PC: And why are you giving her income?RL: Because I love her.PC: Did you give her income because there were $1.2 million that had been lentto you?RL: No.PC: So it is just pure good will on your part?RL: That’s correct.PC: Without any relationship to the three promissory notes?RL: That’s correct.PC: Based on that explanation, wouldn’t that meet the Internal Revenue’sdefinition of a gift?RL: I’m not familiar with that section of the code to make that determination.PC: But you are a financial planner, correct?RL: Yes.PC: And you do estate planning for clients?RL: Yes I do.PC: And isn’t part of estate planning, planning gifts?RL: Yes.PC: To take money out of one’s estate?RL: Yes.PC: So it’s fair to say that you do have some knowledge of the term “gift” in thefinancial planning field?RL: Yes.PC: And in the financial planning field, you also have to be aware of the InternalRevenue Service, correct?RL: I am.PC: Did you file gift tax returns for these years?RL: No, I did not.PC: Why not?RL: I didn’t consider them gifts.PC: Sitting here today, do you consider them gifts?RL: If I knew the definition of gifts was from the Internal Revenue I would sayyes, but I’m not sure of that because I don’t know what the term gift means.

10

Laessig Testimony.

6 The IRS has no record of receiving a 1040 form from Marcucci for 1990 and did not retainMarcucci’s tax returns for 1991 through 2000.

11

testimony that these regular monthly payments were gifts is further undermined by Laessig’s

failure to file gift tax returns for these payments in the years he purportedly gifted up to

$68,000 to Marcucci. From 1997-2001, if Laessig made a gift to Marcucci of $10,000 or

more, he was required to file a gift tax return with the IRS. 26 U.S.C. § 2503. If he made

a gift of $11,000 or more from 2002-2005, or a gift of $12,000 or more after 2005, he was

also required to file a gift tax return with the IRS. Id. In the years Laessig made payments

to Marcucci, he did not file such gift tax returns. Laessig testified he did not file this return

because, despite his occupation as a financial and estate planner, he was uncertain as to the

definition of “gift” for IRS purposes. I am not persuaded by Laessig’s testimony. I find

Laessig did not file gift tax returns for the money he paid Marcucci because his payments

were not intended as gifts, but were intended as interest payments on the $1,200,000 debt to

Marcucci.

29. To show income interest she received from 1991 to 2005, Marcucci submitted copies of her

tax returns from 1990-2007, in which she reported interest income from H & L, Laessig

Investment, and Ronald Laessig. Her tax returns for 2002-2008 are Certified Copies

supplied by the Internal Revenue Service.6

30. As further evidence of interest income she received, Marcucci has submitted copies of her

tax returns which were retained by her tax preparer. I find these tax returns are admissible

as Marcucci has firsthand knowledge of the information contained within the returns and the

7 “A duplicate is admissible to the same extent as the original unless (1) a genuine question israised as to the authenticity of the original or (2) in the circumstances, it would be unfair to admitthe duplicate in lieu of the original.” Fed. R. Evid. 1003. Under these circumstances, no genuinequestion has been raised as to the authenticity of the tax return copies retained by Marcucci’s taxpreparer. Additionally, admission of these returns is not unfair to defendants. To the contrary,evidence of defendants’ interest payments during these years will serve to offset the Laessig’stotal financial liability to Marcucci because the tax returns reveal the amount of interest debt thathas already been paid.

8 The promissory notes provide an “Event of Default” occurs “[i[f the Borrower shall fail to paywhen due any sum payable to Payee hereunder,” “shall default in the performance of any otheragreement or covenant” or “[i]f the Borrower shall become insolvent, bankrupt or shall generallyfail to pay its debts as such debts become due.”

12

returns provide the court with an accurate statement of the interest income Marcucci received

from 1991 until 2000. Additionally, the tax returns meet the requirements of Federal Rule

of Evidence 901, as they were properly authenticated by Marcucci’s testimony.7

31. Marcucci’s tax returns indicate she received between $20,000 and $88,000 a year in interest

income from either H & L or Laessig between 1991 and 2007, although the amount of

interest she was owed each year was $128,000.

32. Laessig was unable to produce copies of the checks he wrote Marcucci, records of

withdrawals from his bank account, or any other relevant evidence because he testified all

of these records were destroyed in a flood.

33. Laessig estimates H & L went out of business in 1999, but he could not estimate the last date

the company issued checks in the company name.

34. By the plain terms of the $600,000 note, the $200,000 note and the $400,000 note, H & L

defaulted on the notes when it stopped paying the money when it was due, or when it went

out of business, whichever was sooner. Notes, §1 8

35. By the plain terms of the Guaranty contract, the1 Guaranty is “an absolute, unlimited, and

13

continuing guaranty of payment and suretyship” which is “deemed the primary obligation of

the Guarantor.” Laessig Guaranty, at 2-3. Under the Guaranty, either default on the

promissory notes or failure by the Guarantor to pay any amount qualifies as an “Event of

Default.” Because Laessig stopped paying interest to Marcucci in June of 2007, he and

Patricia Laessig defaulted on the Guaranty.

DISCUSSION

The Laessigs and Marcucci agree that Catherine Marcucci lent H & L $1.2 million, which

Ronald and Patricia Laessig personally guaranteed. The Laessigs have asserted an array of defenses

to avoid complying with their personal Guaranty. They assert: (1) Marcucci’s claim is invalid

because it is barred by the statute of limitations, (2) the promissory notes Ronald Laessig issued to

Marcucci are invalid because there was no “meeting of the minds” and the notes are not supported

by consideration, (3) the Laessig Guaranty is invalid because it is not supported by consideration,

and (4) payment to Marcucci on Notes 2 and 3 and the Guaranty is improper as she is not the listed

payee. The Laessigs also argues the $915, 289.98 in attorneys’ fees requested by Marcucci is

unreasonable.

This Court has jurisdiction over this matter under the diversity statute, and thus this Court

must apply state substantive law. See Mazur v. Merck & Co., Inc., 964 F.2d 1348, 1353 (3d Cir.

1992). The parties agree the promissory notes and guaranty in this case are governed by

Pennsylvania law.

The Laessigs first argue Marcucci’s claim is barred by the statute of limitations for actions to

enforce promissory notes and personal guarantees. Pennsylvania sets a twenty-year statute of

limitations for instruments under seal. See 42 Pa. C.S. § 5529(b)(1) (“Notwithstanding section

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2255(7) (relating to four-year limitation), an action upon an instrument in writing under seal must be

commenced within 20 years.”). An “instrument containing the word ‘seal’ or its equivalent is deemed

a sealed instrument if the maker adopts the seal.” Christopher v. First Mutual Corp., 2006 U.S. Dist.

LEXIS 2255, at *16 (E.D. Pa. Jan. 20, 2006) (citing Klein v. Reid, 422 A.2d 1143, 1144 (Pa. Super.

Ct. 1980)). Whether or not an instrument is sealed is a question of law. Swaney v. Georges Twp. Rd.

Dist., 164 A. 336, 337-38 (Pa. 1932). “[W]hen a party signs a contract which contains a pre-printed

word ‘SEAL,’ that party has presumptively signed a contract under seal.” Beneficial Consumer

Discount v. Dailey, 644 A.2d 789, 790 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1994). This presumption can be rebutted. Fed.

Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Barness, 484 F. Supp. 1134, 1148 (E.D. Pa. 1980) (“The presence of the printed

word “(Seal)” opposite defendant’s signature on the promissory note gives rise only to a rebuttable

presumption that defendant adopted the seal, thereby rendering the note a sealed instrument.”). The

Laessig Guaranty contains the word “SEAL” immediately to the right of both Ronald and Patricia

Laessig’s signature. The Laessigs have not presented any evidence to rebut the presumption that the

contract was under seal. Thus, the Laessig Guaranty is a sealed instrument which is subject to the

twenty-year statute of limitations period established in § 5529.

Even if this instrument was not created under seal, Marcucci’s action still falls within the

four-year statute of limitations for actions “upon a negotiable or nonnegotiable bond, note or other

similar instrument in writing.” 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525(7). This four-year statute of limitations applies

to promissory notes, see Gordon v. Sanatoga Inn, Inc., 632 A.2d 1352 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993) (holding

four-year statute of limitations in 42 Pa. C.S. § 5525(7) applies to action to enforce a promissory

note), and personal guaranties, see Citicorp North America, Inc. v. Thornton, 707 A.2d 536 (Pa.

Super. Ct. 1998) (applying § 5525(7) to a personal guaranty), which are not under seal. The guaranty

9 The relevant portion of Ronald Laessig’s testimony is:

PC: Is H & L Developers still in business?RL: No.PC: When did H & L go out of business?RL: Ten years ago, approximately, I’m not sure.PC: Ok well this is 2009. When did the development in Florida go under?RL: Twelve, thirteen years ago, ten years ago, I’m not a hundred percent sure.PC: It wasn’t in 1993? 1994?RL: No, no, we still had the corporation. We may not have had assets but we stillhad the corporation.

15

in this case was issued in 1990 and the promissory notes were issued in 1991; Marcucci’s case was

not filed until November 26, 2008.

However, the four-year limitation period begins after the later of either demand or any

payment of principal or interest on a negotiable instrument. § 5525(7); Nimick v. Shuty, 655 A.2d

132, 135 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1995). Under Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitations restarts with each

payment on an outstanding loan. See United States v. Hemmons, 774 F. Supp. 346, 351 (E.D. Pa.

1991) (citing Philadelphia v. Holmes Elec. Protective Co. of Phila., 6 A.2d 884 (Pa. 1939)). Partial

payment toward the original debt stops the statute from running “because it is an acknowledgment

of the debt as an existing obligation, from which the law necessarily implies a promise to pay.”

Thornton, 707 A.2d at 538 (quoting Barnes v. Pickett Hardware Co., Ltd., 53 A. 378, 379 (Pa.

1902)). In order for partial payment to toll the statute of limitations, the payment must constitute “a

constructive acknowledgment of the debt from which a promise to pay the balance may be inferred.”

Cole v. Lawrence, 701 A.2d 987, 990 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997). In this instance, Marcucci received

payments on her loan first from H & L and then from Laessig. Neither party presented evidence of

when the payer changed from H & L to Laessig, and Laessig was unclear as to when H & L stopped

holding assets, stopped doing business, and eventually dissolved.9 I was, however, presented with

PC: Ok, at this point I’m concerned with actively doing business, when did thecorporation last actively do business?RL: I do not recall the exact time.PC: But roughly, 1993? 1994?RL: It could have been 1999.PC: Do you know the last time that H & L Developers issued a check to anyone?RL: H & L?PC: H & L Developers.RL: Not right at the moment, I don’t.

Laessig Testimony.

16

evidence that interest payments were made to Marcucci up until May 31, 2007. If H & L was out of

business in 1999, then I infer Laessig made these payments himself from 2000 until 2007. “There

can be no more clear and unequivocal acknowledgment of debt than actual payment.” Huntingdon

Fin. Corp. v. Newtown Artesian Water Co., 659 A.2d 1052, 1054 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1995). I find the

Laessigs constructivelyacknowledged their ongoing debt to Marcucci through transmission of regular

interest payments to her.

Generally, partial payment on a debt will only restart the statute of limitations as it applies to

the original debtor or obligor, not the surety or guarantor. Thornton, 707 A.2d at 538 (citing Fed.

Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Assoc. Nursing Sys., Inc., 948 F.2d 233, 237 (6th Cir. 1991)). However, H &

L’s payments on the loan can toll the four-year statute of limitations as to the Laessig Guaranty

through agreement by the parties, Thornton, 707 A.2d at 538; see also Lezzer Cash & Carry, Inc. v.

Aetna Ins. Co., 537 A.2d 857, 861 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1988) (“[A]s a general rule, a surety is obligated

only to the extent provided in the agreement of suretyship.”). Pennsylvania courts look to the

language of the surety agreement to determine whether the guarantor’s obligation to pay continues

after interest is paid on the principle debt. Thornton, 707 A.2d at 536. I will look to the language

10 The Thornton court noted “guaranty” and “surety” are frequently used interchangeably, thoughthe distinction between these roles is significant. “A guarantor undertakes that another personwill pay a debt or perform a duty and such person remains primarily liable” while “a suretyundertakes to pay the debt . . . if the debtor fails to do so. In case of default the guarantor issecondarily liable while the surety is equally liable with the principal.” Thornton, 707 A.2d at539 n.2 (citing Homewood Peoples Bank v. Hastings, 106 A. 308, 309 (Pa. 1919)).

17

of the Laessig Guaranty to ascertain whether the parties intended the guaranty to be a continuing

undertaking in which the Laessigs were primarily liable for H & L’s debt.10

In Thornton, the following language was construed to create a continuing guaranty, with the

guarantor primarily liable on the principal’s debt: “It being understood and agreed that the liability

of the undersigned hereunder shall be primary, direct, and in all respects unconditional.” 707 A.2d

at 539. The court held language characterizing the guarantor’s liabilities as “unconditional” and

“continuing” evinced an “unbridled commitment” to guarantee the principal’s obligation. Id. The

Laessig Guaranty states, “[t]his Guaranty is and shall be construed to be an absolute, unlimited, and

continuing guaranty of payment and suretyship, and shall be deemed the primary obligation of the

Guarantor.” Laessig Guaranty § 2.2 (emphasis added). I find this strong language shows the parties’

intent to make Ronald and Patricia Laessig primarily liable to Marcucci, so that payment on the debt

by the principal, H & L, tolled the statute of limitations for both the promissory notes and the Laessig

Guaranty. While it is uncertain when H & L stopped paying interest to Marcucci, Marcucci has

provided evidence that payments on the $1.2 million debt were made on a yearly basis. I find each

of Laessig’s payments to Marcucci restarted the statute of limitations. The last of these payments was

made on May 31, 2007, and the four year statute of limitations began to run on that date. This case,

filed in 2008, is thus within the applicable statute of limitations.

The Laessigs next argue the promissory notes are invalid because not they are not supported

18

by valid consideration and there was no meeting of the minds in their creation. The issue of adequacy

of consideration for the promissory notes is resolved by Pennsylvania’s Uniform Written Obligations

Act (UWOA), 33 Pa. S. § 6. The statute provides: “A written release or promise, hereafter made and

signed by the person releasing or promising, shall not be invalid or unenforceable for lack of

consideration, if the writing also contains an additional express statement, in any form of language,

that the signer intends to be legally bound.” Id. Under the UWOA, “an agreement may not be

avoided for lack of consideration if [it] contains a provision expressing the parties’ intent to be legally

bound.” Laudig v. Laudig, 624 A.2d 651, 654 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993). The purpose of this act was to

make the law “substantially the same as it was when seals were in force . . . except that in lieu of the

formality of a seal, the formality of this statement is substituted.” Barness, 484 F. Supp. at 1148

(citations omitted).

In QVC, Inc. v. Starad, Inc., 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5473, at *12 (E.D. Pa. March 31, 2005),

the court applied Pennsylvania law and found an agreement which included language that the parties

“intend to be legally bound hereby” was valid consideration. See also Kronz v. Cech (In re Romano),

175 B.R. 585, 593 (Bankr. W.D. Pa.1994) (finding the language, “[t]he covenants, conditions and

agreements contained in this Mortgage shall bind, and the benefits thereof shall inure to the respective

parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns as the case

may be,” satisfied the requirements of the UWOA.) The second, third, and fourth promissory notes

all contained the following language:

Parties in Interest All covenants, agreements and undertakings in this Note by and onbehalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respectivesuccessors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so expressed or not.

Notes § 2.1. This language mirrors the language cited in QVC and Kronz and expresses an

19

acknowledgment of an intent to be bound by H & L. Thus, valid consideration exists, as cited in the

Promissory Notes.

The Laessigs also argue the promissory notes are not enforceable because there was no

“meeting of the minds” in their creation. For a valid contract to exist, there must be mutuality of

assent, or a “meeting of the minds” between parties to a contract. See Rusiski v. Pribonic, 474 A.2d

624, 627 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1984) rev’d on other grounds, 515 A.2d 507 (Pa. 1986). Mutual mistake is

a valid ground for rescinding an agreement “where both parties to a contract are mistaken as to

existing facts at the time of execution.” Holt v. Dep’t of Public Welfare, 678 A.2d 421, 423 (Pa.

Commw. Ct. 1996). The doctrine of mutual mistake “applies only where the mistake: (I) relates to

the basis of the bargain; (ii) materially affects the parties’ performance; and (iii) is not one as to which

the injured party bears the risk.” Consol. Rail Corp. v. Portlight, Inc., 188 F.3d 93, 96 (3d Cir. 1999)

(citing Lanci v. Metro. Ins. Co., 564 A.2d 972, 974 (Pa. Super Ct. 1989)).

The Laessigs argue there was no negotiation or meeting of the minds regarding the specific

terms of the promissory notes, including the applicable interest rates assessed and events which

constituted default on the loan. Both events of default and interest rate relate to the basis of a bargain

and could materially affect H & L’s obligations under the promissory note contract. If a true mutual

mistake had been made in this case regarding these terms, the Laessigs could satisfy the first two

elements of the doctrine of mutual mistake. Initially, I am unconvinced a mistake was actually made

in this case, as Laessig testified he directed his attorney to prepare the promissory notes and informed

his attorney which interest rate was appropriate for each note, what date principal payment was due,

and what the events of default should be. I do not assume these terms were chosen carelessly. See

Steuart v. McChesney, 444 A.2d 659, 662 (Pa. 1982) (stating a court interpreting a Pennsylvania

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contract “do[es] not assume that its language was chosen carelessly” or “that the parties were ignorant

of the meaning of the language employed”). Furthermore, the Laessig’s mutual mistake defense fails

on the third prong of the doctrine because, as the party who directed the Notes’ creation, Ronald

Laessig bore the risk of any drafting mistake. When an asserted mistake is unilateral rather than

mutual, is due to the negligence of the mistaken party, and is not due to the fault of the non-mistaken

party, Pennsylvania law will not permit relief to be granted to the mistaken party. See Warren v.

Greenfield, 595 A.2d 1308, 1312 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991); Cobaugh v. Klick-Lewis, Inc., 561 A.2d

1248, 1251 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1989). Regardless of whether the disputed terms were mistakenly

included, Laessig directed the creation of the promissory notes and could have reviewed the notes

before he transmitted them to Marcucci. He bore the risk of the terms he selected and cannot now

assert a defense of mutual mistake.

The Laessigs similarlyargue the Laessig Guaranty is unenforceable because it is not supported

by sufficient consideration. “It is well established that only those contracts of guaranty which are

founded upon some consideration are enforceable.” Paul Revere Protective Life Ins. Co. v. Weis, 535

F. Supp. 379, 385 (E.D. Pa. 1981) (citing Harr v. Perkins, 6 A.2d 534 (Pa. 1939)). To have an

enforceable guaranty contract, however, it is not necessary that consideration pass directly to the

guarantor. Weis, 535 F. Supp. at 385. An extension of credit to the principal debtor is sufficient

consideration to enforce the guarantor’s promise. Id. (citing Florida Asphalt Pavement Mfg. Co. v.

Fed. Reserve Bank, 76 F.2d 326, 327-28 (5th Cir. 1935)). Here, the Guaranty specifically provides

that Ronald Laessig is a fifty percent shareholder in the obligor and will benefit economically from

the extension of the loan to the obligor. This is sufficient consideration because of the stated benefit

Laessig received through the loan from Marcucci to H & L.

21

Additionally, under the UWOA, “a written release or promise, hereafter made and signed by

the person releasing or promising, shall not be invalid or unenforceable for lack of consideration, if

the writing also contains an additional express statement, in any form of language, that the signer

intends to be legally bound.” 33 Pa. S. § 6. Under Pennsylvania law, “parties have the right to make

their own contract, and it is not the function of a court to rewrite it or to give it a construction in

conflict with the accepted and plain meaning of the language used.” Meeting House Lane, Ltd. v.

Melso, 628 A.2d 854, 857 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993). The Laessig Guaranty states: “Legal Effect. (a) This

Guaranty shall be binding upon the Guarantor, their heirs and assigns.” I find the parties clearly and

unambiguously intended the instrument to be an unconditional promise of repayment. The Guaranty

formally expresses the Laessigs’ intent to be legally bound; thus, this Guaranty is enforceable against

them. See Fasco v. Modernage, Inc., 311 F. Supp. 161, 164 (W.D. Pa. 1970).

Finally, the Laessigs assert they should not be required to repay the loan amount, including

interest, owed to Marcucci because the Laessig Guaranty is not made out to Catherine Marcucci but

is made out to her children, “P. John Marcucci, Jr., Paula Schwartz and Richard Marcucci” as

“Trustees under Deed of Trust of P. John Marcucci dated September 22, 1988.” Laessig Guaranty,

at 1. Similarly, the $600,000 promissory note is made out to the same “deed of trust” and the

$200,000 promissory note is made out to Richard Marcucci. However, Laessig testified none of

Marcucci’s children ever loaned H & L or Richard and Patricia Laessig any money. Additionally,

neither Marcucci nor any of her children were aware of a deed of trust and Marcucci’s children had

no expectation of receiving money from the Laessigs under the Laessig Guaranty. Laessig testified

a deed of trust was created by another attorney, but did not provide this Court with such a document

or any evidence the document was created or that a Deed of Trust exists. Because Marcucci and her

22

children have no knowledge of a purported deed of trust and Laessig presented no evidence it actually

exists, I am faced with an ambiguity in the terms of the Laessig Guaranty, the $600,000 Note, and

$200,000 Note regarding who is the appropriate payee.

To resolve an ambiguity in a written contract, I must ascertain the intent of the parties. A

contract is to be enforced so as to give effect to the reasonable expectations created by the parties in

entering into the bargain. Johnson v. Fenestra, Inc., 305 F.2d 179, 181 (3d Cir. 1962) (applying

Pennsylvania law). A question of intent may be resolved by parol evidence. Castellucci v. Columbia

Gas of Pa., Inc., 310 A.2d 331 ( Pa. Super. Ct. 1973). The parol evidence rule does not bar admission

of extrinsic evidence when it is necessary to show that a mistake has been made and the written terms

of a contract do not reflect the intended agreement of the parties. West Conshohocken Rest. Assocs.,

Inc. v. Flanigan, 737 A.2d 1245, 1248 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1999). “[W]here an ambiguity exists, parol

evidence is admissible to explain or clarify or resolve the ambiguity, irrespective of whether the

ambiguity is created by the language of the instrument or by extrinsic or collateral circumstances.”

Katzeff v. Fazio, 628 A.2d 425, 428 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993). Laessig testified he asked his attorney to

create the Guaranty, and the purpose of the Guaranty was to protect Catherine Marcucci, not her

children, because Catherine Marcucci relied on Laessig to protect her financial stability and manage

her financial affairs. Marcucci’s children had not seen the Promissory Notes or the Guaranty before

the instant litigation. Laessig further testified the purported trust he referenced in the Guaranty was

prepared for Marcucci’s benefit, and such alleged trust was created for Marcucci’s benefit. I find

parol evidence in this case resolves the ambiguity of the intended payee on the Guaranty.

Furthermore, under Pennsylvania law, the intent of the issuer of an instrument controls when

there is a conflict between the intended payee and the payee identified on an instrument. 13 Pa. C.S.

11 Under the heading, “Identification of person to whom instrument is payable,” the statuteprovides, in relevant part:

(a) INTENT OF ISSUER.-- The person to whom an instrument is initiallypayable is determined by the intent of the person, whether or not authorized,signing as, or in the name or behalf of, the issuer of the instrument. Theinstrument is payable to the person intended by the signer even if that person isidentified in the instrument by a name or other identification that is not that of theintended person.

13 Pa. C.S. § 3110(a).

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§ 3110.11 Laessig’s testimony clearly shows the Guaranty was created to benefit Catherine Marcucci

and Laessig intended the benefits of the Guaranty to inure to her. Accordingly, I find that Laessig’s

intent in issuing the $600,000 Note, the $200,000 Note, and the Laessig Guaranty was to provide

payment to Catherine Marcucci.

The Laessigs finally dispute Marcucci’s request for judgment against defendants of

$915,298.89 in attorneys’ fees. Plaintiff suggests these fees are provided for in the promissory notes

and guaranty. I require more information about the fees counsel accumulated while working on this

case so a reasonable fee amount, if any, can be determined. Defendants must also receive fair notice

of the basis for the fees claimed, as well as an opportunity to respond to a petition for attorneys’ fees.

To determine damages owed to Marcucci under the Laessig Guaranty, it is necessary to assess

both the interest which has accrued on the $1,200,000 loan, and the interest paid to date on the loan.

Under the terms of the Laessig Guaranty, Ronald and Patricia Laessig have promised repayment of

$1.2 million in principal in the event H & L did not repay Marcucci’s loan. This initial amount does

not include the interest which has accrued over the last 19 years. In Pennsylvania, interest on an

interest-bearing instrument is calculated from the date of the instrument. 13 Pa. C.S. § 3112(a)(2).

“The method of calculation of prejudgment interest is generally simple interest, as opposed to

12 Marcucci also requested compensatory damages for unpaid interest on the January 6, 1989Promissory Note. I find this interest payment is not appropriate for two reasons. First, it appearsMarcucci forfeited unpaid interest on that note when the principal was rolled over into the threesubsequent promissory notes and a different interest rate was applied. Second, the firstpromissory note is not covered by the Laessig Guaranty. The first promissory note memorializesa loan between the Laessigs and Catherine Marcucci, while the Guaranty promises repayment ona loan to H & L Developers. I find the terms of the Guaranty only apply to the second, third, andfourth promissory notes.

24

compound interest.” Option One Mortg. Corp., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 96342, at *23 (citing Spang

& Co. v. USX Corp., 599 A.2d 978, 984 (Pa. Super. 1991)). In the instant case, Marcucci has

requested simple interest on the loan. Simple interest is calculated by multiplying the principal by

the interest rate to calculate the amount of yearly interest. That amount is then multiplied by the

number of years that have passed since the date of the instrument. The instant Guaranty promises

repayment of $1.2 million which is divided into three promissory notes which have two different

applicable interest rates. The interest Ronald and Patricia Laessig owe, to date, is calculated below.

Promissory

Note

Date of Note Loan Amount Interest Rate YearlyInterestOwed

Interest Owedto-Date(1/1/2010)

2 Jan. 1, 1991 $600,000 11% $66,000 $1,254,000.00

3 Jan. 1, 1991 $200,000 9% $18,000 $342,000.00

4 Jan. 1, 1991 $400,000 11% $44,000 $836,000.00

Total $1,200,000 $128,000 $2,432,000.00

Thus, the Laessigs owe Marcucci $1,200,000 in principal and $2,432,000 in interest.12 This

amount, however, is offset by the interest payments made by H & L and Laessig. Marcucci’s tax

returns from 1991 to 2007 reveal that, between 1991 and 2007, $903,521.00 in interest payments were

13

Year Relevant Interest IncomeReported

Source of Interest Income

1991 $40,333.00 H & L Developers Group

$60,500.00 H & L Developers Group

$545.00 Laessig Investment

$94.00 Laessig Investment

1992 $23,333.00 H & L Developers Inc.

$37,250.00 H & L Developers Inc.

$2,453.00 Laessig Investment Co.

$5,333.00 Ronald Laessig (Individual)


$4,680.00 Laessig Investment Co.













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made on the promissory notes and the Laessig Guaranty.13 This calculation differs from the



TotalInterestPaid

$903,521.00

26

calculation submitted by Marcucci’s expert for two reasons. First, it appears Marcucci’s expert

inadvertently included interest payments for 1992 twice, and mistakenly credited the Laessigs and H

& L with an additional $65,916 in interest payments. Second, Marcucci’s expert did not include

interest income Marcucci received from Laessig Investment, Laessig Investment Co., or Ronald

Laessig in calculating interest paid under the promissory notes and Guaranty. However, as there is

no evidence of any other debt between Laessig and Marcucci, I believe this was an omission on the

part of Marcucci’s witness, and these interest amounts should be included in the calculation and offset

against the Laessigs’ debt.

For the years 2005, 2006, and 2007, there is a discrepancy between the amount paid to

Marcucci in checks from Laessig and the amount Marcucci claimed as interest income on her tax

return. In 2005, Marcucci reported $48,000 in interest income, but the checks from Laessig amount

to only $40,000 in interest income. I find the most likely explanation for this discrepancy is that the

bank’s failure to supply checks from January through May of 2005, so the amount paid during those

months is unaccounted for in the checks, but reflected in Marcucci’s tax return. In 2006, the checks

reveal Marcucci received $68,000 from Laessig, but she reported only $48,000 in interest income;

in 2007, the checks reveal Marcucci received $36,000 from Laessig, but she reported only $20,000

in interest income. I find the explanation offered by Marcucci’s expert is credible and that in 2006

14 The relevant portion of the Guaranty reads:

3.3 Application of Funds. Any amounts recovered by Lender hereunder may be appliedby Lender to any amount or amounts owing hereunder, in such order as Lender maydetermine.

Laessig Guaranty, at 4.

27

and 2007 the additional funds were not reported on Marcucci’s tax return because she applied the

additional funds to the principal of the loan and did not report return of principal on her tax return.

Under the terms of the Laessig Guaranty, Marcucci was free to judge whether payments would be

applied to interest or principal.14 While I heard no direct testimony that Marcucci applied the

difference to the principal amount owed, I find it is equitable to resolve the discrepancy in this way

as it is favorable to the Laessigs since it ultimately reduces the amount they owe Marcucci under the

Laessig Guaranty. Thus, the principal amount the Laessigs owe Marcucci is adjusted based on this

application of funds to the principal. The principal due is reduced by $20,000 for payments in 2006

and by $16,000 for payments in 2007. The total principal due is $1,164,000.

The decreased principal due alters the total interest due. Without the decrease in principal,

the Laessigs owed $2,432,000. After 2006, the Laessigs debt was decreased to $1,180,000. Because

there are two applicable interest rates on this loan, I must determine how interest should be calculated

on the reduced principal. One million dollars of the principal was subject to an eleven percent yearly

interest rate while the remaining $200,000 loan was subject to a nine percent interest rate. I will again

resolve this discrepancy in favor of the Laessigs and conclude Marcucci applied this principal to the

$1,000,000 portion of the loan. Accordingly, the Laessigs owe Marcucci $125,800 in interest for

15 Calculated as ($980,000 principal x .11 interest percentage) + ($200,000 principal x .09interest percentage).

16 Calculated as ($964,000 principal x .11 interest percentage) + ($200,000 principal x .09interest percentage).

28

2007.15 The principal debt was again reduced in 2007 so that the Laessigs owe Marcucci $124,040

for 2008 and 2009.16 Thus, in total the Laessigs owe Marcucci $2,421,880 in interest.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, judgment in this case is entered for the Plaintiffs, Catherine

Marcucci et al., and against Defendants Ronald and Patricia Laessig and Defendant H & L

Developers, Inc. An appropriate order of judgment will follow.